Informing your child about your divorce may have been complicated, but you managed to do so. Another crucial conversation to have with them is about custody. They need to be informed about custody matters once you have enough information.
But how do you approach this subject?
1. Agree on what to say
If possible, you and your co-parent should hold the conversation together. Agree on what to communicate now and what to inform your child with time. Basically, the immediate information they need is what custody is, how it works and your specific custody schedule.
2. Use simple language
When explaining your custody schedule, use simple language. Let your child know the days they will be in your house and when they need to go to the other parent’s.
If they are younger, it can be beneficial to have a calendar to mark the days to help them understand the schedule better. You can choose a week on the calendar and ask them to mark when they will be with you as an exercise.
3. Inform them they can communicate with both of you at any time
Some parents forget to tell their kids they can communicate with both of them at any time. Your child may believe they can’t contact the other parent when they are with you. Thus, actively inform them they can do so. And if virtual visitation is in your parenting plan, explain it in depth.
4. Ask questions
When discussing custody with your kid, they may have a lot of questions. Encourage them to ask anything.
Discussing custody with your child may not be easy, as you are essentially telling them they need to start moving between two homes. The above-discussed tips and legal guidance can help you have a more seamless conversation.
